This is another German Pajero (Montero) video, this time of the Gen 1 model. I like seeing this period videos of the trucks in action.
One of the interesting things they say is that, at the time, Mitsubishi had been participating in the Paris-Dakar Rally since 1983.
Here’s footage of a Gen3 Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero tackling the very rutted Powerline Track in New South Wales, Australia. In this video the brake-actuated, limited slip system looks like it’s doing a job of getting the truck through some rough, wheel-in-the-air terrain. Nice to see.
If you haven’t already seen it, there’s a great 1st generation Montero / Pajero build by Expedition Portal forum member, Cruisn. He delves into everything: turbo-diesel engine swap, new interior, custom storage solution, on-board air, rooftop tent, lift, and more.
He’s posted lots of off-road pictures to boot. It’s definitely worth a look.
Last year marked the 30th anniversary of the Mitsubishi Montero/Pajero. I don’t know much about the current 4th generation Montero — it’s not available in the States — but my favorite is still the 2nd generation, produced 1992–1999, and known to enthusiasts as the “Gen 2.”
I got a message on the site recently asking me what I like about it. Here’s the short answer.
It’s a capable truck for my needs, i.e., exploring moderate trails (no rock crawling) for a week or two at a time. I like the design of both the interior and exterior better than I did that of the 80-series Land Cruisers. I also like its part-time 4-wheel-drive system. I can run in 4-high, 4-low, 2WD, or 4-high with an open center diff (all wheel drive). The ability to switch into 2WD allows the Montero to get about 19 mpg on the highway which, while not great, is better than the 12–14 mpg I would have gotten in the Land Cruiser.
Also, I love driving a stick and the base model Gen 2 Montero was available with a 5 speed. That sealed the deal. I think it was the only mid-1990s, domestic SUV which had that option.
The Gen 2 Montero is the best-balanced SUV I could find. It makes a good daily driver and it’s never let me down on the trail.
Thanks for the video, Greg!
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The Mitsubishi Montero / Pajero / Shogun turns 30 this spring!
I looked at a lot of trucks, from Land Cruisers to Land Rovers, before settling on my 1995 Montero LS. The combination of Japanese reliability, a well-designed, well-thought-out interior, and, what I thought were classic good looks, proved pretty appealing. Also, I was looking for something from the mid-90s. That era seems to be the sweet spot on the SUV development timeline in which trucks went from spartan and capable to soft and cushy. The fact that it was the only one from this era available in the US with a manual transmission, sealed the deal. I’ve been happy with it ever since.
All photos: Gregory McDonaldI’d been wanting an extra margin of water fording safety and a cleaner intake source than under the fender well, so I ordered an ARB Safari Snorkel. A couple of weekends ago my friend Greg — awesome guy that he is — came up to help me install it. It worked out pretty well and took about 5 or 6 hours from start to finish (including a trip to the hardware store for last minute supplies).
If you install one yourself here’s a list of things you’ll need. Read through your instructions fully before you go to the hardware store to get supplies. I didn’t, hence the extra trip.
Apart from the standard tools, you’ll need:
• an 86mm (3-3/8″) hole saw (this may be different for your truck)
• Loctite
• drills up to 1/2″ diameter (the instructions call for larger but if you follow this method, you won’t need them)
• silicon sealer
• ratcheting box wrench (to tighten the nuts inside the fender well without removing the fender)
• a step drill, if you already have one (they’re about $50 so I just used a series of drills)
Here’s the biggest tip of the whole exercise: use the template only to drill the big, 86mm hole. Mark the small, snorkel bolt holes as well but use the bolts themselves to determine their exact positions. The template may not be accurate — it wasn’t for us. Use the same method for determining the positions of the A-pillar holes and you’ll be dead on.
Be sure to follow along with your instructions, if you do this yourself. I’m only going into a general level of detail in this post.
This first generation Montero, a 1990 LS model, has been transformed from stock into a fantastic looking overlander with very well-thought-out features that I haven’t seen on other trucks. To say I “spotted” it though is to give myself too much credit. Greg showed it to me when Natalie and I met with him in San Francisco to discuss our then upcoming Twain trip. I was immediately impressed. Here’s what Greg has done. Read the rest of this entry »
A young, mop-topped Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Gen2 Mitsubishi Shogun/Montero/Pajero in an early-1990s edition of Top Gear. Pretty great, if you can get past the short but cheesy title sequence.
